Read More

Records of incidents provided by constabularies across Britain reveal the devices are at the centre of a wide range of other reports, including:

Disputes between neighbours

Police were alerted to arguments and threats of violence between residents, including one in which a man reported that he suspected his neighbour was flying a drone “just to annoy him”.

Nuisance drones

In one case a man threatened to shoot down an “annoying” drone with an air rifle.

Prison smuggling

Drones have been used to drop drugs and other contraband into prison grounds. In one instance, substances previously known as “legal highs” were flown into a jail.

Fears of spying

In a number of cases, members of the public contacted their local force to raise concerns that drones were being used for snooping. In one instance, a device was said to have been flown over a garden repeatedly while girls were sunbathing.

Near misses

Forces registered several instances of drones being spotted near aircraft. In one incident, two separate flight pilots reported coming close to colliding with a large drone.